Crisis Prevention & Recovery

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen progress consolidating peace and security in once war-torn countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burundi, now on a path to long-term development. Nonetheless, the region remains prone to armed conflict, political instability and state collapse. The region is also prone to natural disasters, including extreme weather events, which can have devastating consequences for human development. This is exemplified in the Horn of Africa and Sahel, where droughts, leading to failed harvests and food price spikes, have created pockets of acute food insecurity.

Our Goals

UNDP strengthens the capacities of African countries to prevent armed conflict, mitigate the risk and effects of natural disasters and build back better and stronger. When a crisis strikes, while the humanitarian response focuses on the immediate lifesaving needs of a population, UNDP supports those responsible to work towards longer-term development objectives. UNDP also ensures disaster risk reduction and climate risk management are built into national and local development plans, with a strong institutional basis for follow through. Read More

The Kenyan government recognizes the the increased challenges posed by the country's youth population, and was assisted by UNDP to establish the Ministry of Youth Affairs to develop and implement policy and programmatic interventions to secure a lasting peace. Read more about UNDP's Crisis Prevention & Recovery Work

Our Stories

Dr. Bowembo Kakande, the only surgeon at a hospital in Western Bahr Gazal

Using an innovative approach that relies on assistance from the governments of other developing countries in the region, UNDP has facilitated the temporary recruitment of civil servants such as Azale on a two-year contract. more

An information session where a UNDP local coordinator is encouraging workers who have completed their 78 days of collective work to create local small-scale enterprises with the savings they have made. Photo: UNDP Burundi

Vulnerable Regions

In Somalia, in spite of the security and access challenges, UNDP has rehabilitated essential agricultural infrastructure, including 80 water catchments that can store almost 380,000 cubic metres of water and 25 kilometres of canals. The programme distributed 3,000 20-litres containers of water to 3,000 households and 2,880 shoats to 360 households. more

In Mali, UNDP is working in partnership with the larger UN system to build on peacebuilding efforts that ensure that principles of good governance are re-established, including through the much-anticipated elections slated for July 2013. Support underway focuses on strengthening the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice and civil society participation in policy debates. more